SWINE FLU UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can stay silent no longer.... We are all being stalked by a dastardly nemesis, the deadly SWINE FLU!!!!! Which is following closely in the footsteps of it forefathers (i.e. Avian Flu, West Nile Virus, Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Salmonilla, acid rain, global cooling, global warming, alien invasions, and Hilary Clinton) and all other media dubbed "crisis".

In case you haven't heard, Utah suffered its first fatality, Marcos Sanchez. To his family we offer our deepest condolences, this is not ment to make light of your situation. However, in regards to this "epidemic", "Pandemic", and all out panic I wish to comment.

What is it about the media and us as people that lends us to the sensational in life? If the news were to report the life story of an elderly lady who wore out her life in service and goodwill, most of us would either change the channel or fall asleep before the headlines had even faded from the screen. However, tell the story of a little old lady caught shoplifting and we are all wide eyed with attention, memorizing the details so that we can share them with our co-workers first thing in the morning. And if you happen to know the old lady, or any of her distant relatives, this would of course elevate you to the level of "expert" and many would rely on you for up-to-the-minute updates.

Enough of the Pig flu already! Egyptians put down your rusty rebar, baseball bats, and other pig impaling weapons! It is just another of thousands of virus' to which we have no cure, but can manage with anti-virals. Which can almost entirely be prevented with a ground breaking habit, WASH YOUR HANDS FREQUENTLY! When you sneeze, aim it into the crook of your arm, or a kleenex! If you are otherwise healthy, and you do catch this little devil, do not panic! It will pass over you like a typical flu, and you will get over it! If you are immuno-compromised you are just as likely to catch it as you are any other bug out there, and you will be likewise in danger. Not because of the nature of the bug you catch, but from the fact that you are immuno-compromised. Such as was the case with Marcos.

IHC reports in a newsletter that seasonal (regular) flu causes upwards of 200,000 hospitalizations a year in the U.S. and is responsible for 36,000 deaths. At last count Oink Rot has a death toll of 9. I think falling rocks have more notches on their belts.

One comment on KSL's reporting of Marcos' death. They report that Marcos had chronic respiratory and other illnesses, his sister Rae just had bronchitis and pneumonia, her daughter has come down with something, and Marcos' mother has bacterial pneumonia. This is not the most healthy of situations...Open the windows people and let some fresh air into that little petri dish you call a home.

In completely unrealated news, I am going private, so anyone interested should send me your email so I can grant you rights...etc.

Thanks.